Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane moved a step further in cementing his place in the Delhi Capitals playing XI after the leg spinner bowled with guile for an impressive display against Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League on Monday.

Rested in Capitals’ first two matches against Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, Lamichhane had played his first match for the Capitals against Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday returning the figures of 1-29. He was the most economical bowler for Capitals who had won the game in the Super Over.

On Monday, he bettered that performance by picking up 2-27 from four overs suggesting that he is now on the way to becoming the hot property in world’s cash-rich franchise Twenty20 competition.

Lamichhane ended up as the most economical bowler yet again as Punjab made 166-9 in 20 overs with decent contributions from David Miller (43) and Sarfaraz Khan. South African Chirs Morris was the most successful bowler taking 3-30 and his compatriot Kagiso Rabada took 2-32.

Introduced in the fourth over, English opener Sam Curran struck Lamichhane for a six in the fourth ball. But Lamichhane plotted for Curran’s dismissal getting the Englishman plumb in front of the wicket with a perfectly pitched ball that skidded to him. Lamichhane conceded 10 runs in the first over and bowled a tight line against Sarfaraz Khan and Mayank Agarwal giving away just four in the second. Brought back in the 12th, South African hard hitter David Miller struck Lamichhane for a six in the last ball as Punjab collected 10 runs from that over. He ended up the day with a tight last over in the 14th giving away just four runs and getting Khan caught behind by Rishab Pant in a good length delivery.

Lamichhane had featured only in the last three matches of the last season after the franchise was out of playoffs haunt. A resurgent Capitals side has a decent outing so far winning two out of three matches so far.